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Parliamentary Panel Demands Meta Apology Over PM Video Removal, Threatens Revocation of Safe Harbour Under IT Act Section 79

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
05 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Section 79₹48 lakh3 daysAugust 05, 2026
Bodies:Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information TechnologyMetaGoogle IndiaIT MinistryMinistry of Home Affairs
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Parliamentary IT committee demands Meta apology for blocking PM Modi's video within 3 days.

2.Threatens to withdraw safe harbour protection under Section 79(3) IT Act, which gives conditional immunity to intermediaries.

3.Also names Google India for financial frauds of ₹48 lakh, seeking similar action against the tech firm.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded Meta apologize for erroneously blocking PM Modi's video, or face revocation of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act. Similar action is threatened against Google India for financial frauds. This highlights the government's push to enforce intermediary accountability and the conditional nature of safe harbour immunity.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Committee ChairNishikant Dubey (BJP)
Deadline for Apology3 days
Legal ProvisionSection 79(3) of IT Act, 2000
Fraud Amount (Google Play)₹48 lakh
Letter Addressed ToIT Secretary S. Krishnan
Date of NewsAugust 05, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Committee Chair: Nishikant Dubey (BJP)
  • ›Deadline for Apology: 3 days
  • ›Target this Data: Deadline of 3 days for apology, fraud amount ₹48 lakh
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (Chair: Nishikant Dubey)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 79(3) of IT Act, 2000 (Safe Harbour provision)

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which parliamentary committee has demanded an apology from Meta over the removal of PM Modi's video?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Parliamentary Committee demanded an apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for the erroneous removal of PM Modi's video.

2. Section 79 of the IT Act provides blanket immunity to intermediaries for all third-party content.

3. The committee also sought similar action against Google India for financial frauds involving apps downloaded from Google Play.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the amount of cyber fraud cited in the Hyderabad complaints against Google India in the committee's letter?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Parliamentary Committee's demand to revoke safe harbour for Meta?

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